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Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 09-29-2001, 12:24 PM:
As standard we run a Pearl and Dean advert reel, about 5 mins long, a 20 second "comming attractions" tag, a 30 second dolby temple tag and either 3 or 4 trailers? The question is would you run 3 or 4 trailers or less or more? Basically I am deciding between 3 or 4.
Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 09-29-2001, 05:28 PM:
here in the states we run 5 or sometimes 6 trailers on our features...film companies have just been so demanding of wanting to get there trailers on that this is the number of trailers they want ran.....
Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 09-29-2001, 05:30 PM:
As a film goer, I really appreciate and enjoy the trailers. If your schedule allows the time, I would say run four. Having more trailers also allows time for the latecomers to get settled so that they are not disturbing those watching the feature.
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 09-29-2001, 10:01 PM:
At the Skyline Drive-in we don't run ANY trailers. Our customers have spoken loud and clear that they don't like or want trailers (especially in June and July where we can't get a picture on screen until 10 pm).However, they do enjoy and ask for the 5 minute intermission snack bar reel. 
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-30-2001, 01:29 PM:
We run 4, 5, or 6 depending on the length and popularity of the feature. If it's a blockbuster, I'll put on more trailers to give everyone time to get to the snack bar....but if it's a real LONG movie, I'll usuallly not put on more than 4.Can't believe some of the new features now coming with 8 or 9 or 10 trailers enclosed/attached. Does anyone really run all that stuff?
Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 09-30-2001, 09:02 PM:
Michael, the question you asked is fairly country specific. I know you are based in the UK, as i am, though as you posted here you can expect a fairly mixed response as to the amount of Ads&Trailers you run with.Remember that although our equipment and views maybe the same as our film-tech brothers, our customers are entirely different.
There is no hard and fast rule about this, it's all down to experience.
Even here in the UK a single screen like your's has an entirely different A&T policy than, say, my four plex. Especially as you run a student screen. So, IMHO run what you wan't. make sure your A&T's don't run on for too long, but also make sure there not too short also, in case you have about 30 freshers turn up 15mins in!
At the end of the day, there's only one person that knows exactly what to run, and that's you! In time you'll get a feel for it, but don't expect an easy ride, it's called experience and you'll be all the better for it.
Posted by Bob Healey (Member # 1003) on 09-30-2001, 09:36 PM:
Speaking as someone at a student run single screen in the States, we run three different features a week. (wed, fri, and sat) For trailers, if we have them, we run trailers for the next three movies accompanied by an upcoming (fill in day of week) series presents bit.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-30-2001, 11:03 PM:
Our company policy specifies 7-10 minutes of trailers (which averages out to three, teasers notwithstanding) including the attachment, if any.-Aaron
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 10-01-2001, 09:44 AM:
We usually play 4 trailers, and with the adverts depending on length make a 15-20 minute reel, followed by a 5 minute ‘sales’ interval. If there is an attachment trailer on the front of a flat 1.85:1 feature, it is removed and placed with the other trailers. If the attachment trailer is in scope, a flat version is booked when available from one of the trailer houses. Keeps good presentation with tabs & lighting etc. giving the feature a nice opening.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 10-02-2001, 12:26 AM:
<<Can't believe some of the new features now coming with 8 or 9 or 10 trailers enclosed/attached. Does anyone really run all that stuff?>>Actually, wehn I worked fir the theatre in Huntsville, I was told to run EVERY trailer that came with the print, and sometimes the ones that chase the print.
I had to confirm this with the manager of the place when I opened vertical limit and all 7 of its enclosed trailers and the one attached.
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 10-02-2001, 02:29 AM:
Four trailers should be the max. Then you have that stupid THX, DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Stay-free Mini-pad, and some other worthless hunk of crap the theater chain comes up with such as Regal Enema's funky roller coaster ride. When the hell is the movie going to start?????? Jeeze......Give me a break! Paul
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 10-02-2001, 12:13 PM:
It might be better to think of this in terms of how much time elapses before the feature starts, rather than how many trailers can be put on.Here in the US (at least where I work) the audience' get restless after about 10 min., regardless if trailers or ads are shown. Theaters in England have had pre-show advertising for some time now, so patrons there are probably a bit more tolerant.
Question: Do patrons in England (knowing there will be some advertising at the beginning) deliberately arrive late to avoid the ads, or do they show up right at the "announced" show time?
Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 10-02-2001, 01:13 PM:
How do you feel about starting trailers before the posted start time of the film? I guess it could get people settled sooner while not pushing the start time of the feature too far back. I've noticed some of the theaters here doing that. I am not in a position to run trailers, and I'm not sure of what I think of that practice, so I thought i'd ask your opinion.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-02-2001, 01:21 PM:
IMHO, the best policy would be to let customers know a specific time for when the trailers/ads start, and when the feature starts. Or state in the ads and telephone announcements something like "Published times are for when the pre-show trailers start, and the feature will start exactly 15 minutes later." That way, people who want to see the trailers will come earlier, and those that don't can plan on arriving as the feature starts.I would NOT start "rolling film" before any advertised time.
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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
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Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 10-02-2001, 05:15 PM:
I'd say go with 3-4 trailers. If a trailer is attached to the print, play that trailer last so you'll end up with 4-5.I don't have TV so I often find the extra trailers worthwhile to find out what's coming out soon.
AMC Hamilton in New Jersey had a good-size if lengthy preshow when I saw The Deep End: NCN snipe, 2 rolling stock adverts, MovieTickets.com promo, Coming Attractions snipe, 5 trailers, Silence is Golden snipe, Changing the Way You See Movies snipe, feature.
Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-02-2001, 05:31 PM:
I think that this topic was discussed in another thread.For the most part it would be wise to work with the film studio/distributor to determine what trailers should be run with what film! And if you are running multiple prints of the same feature, then there is bound to be an order of presidence concerning what trailers are to be run on what screen. One thing that has always annoyed me is theaters who advertise a film--but they dont end up showing it! Also remember that trailer MPAA ratings and content needs to be the same as the main feature--ie dont run R and PG trailers on G rated films--etc. We generally ran about 4 trailers(attached plus three others) plus sound format, THX and house policy, but there were exceptions.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 10-02-2001, 08:51 PM:
I can understand not running trailers for R rated movies on G rated films, but why not trailers for PG rated films?
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-02-2001, 10:52 PM:
Let's see here... "Cats And Dogs" was a PG rated film... Using your criteria, a trailer for say, "From Hell" would be fine for it then.Its common sense. Many PG and PG13 rated films get seen by younger viewers, regardless of the content...
Buena Vista prohibits R-movie trailers on ANY Disney-Branded film regardless of its rating.
-Aaron
Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 10-03-2001, 12:02 AM:
We run coke/moviefone & four trailers. We used to (& i'm trying to get our GM to again) run sound snipes. We've got no company, coming attractions, or other splices, & we're still pushing ten minutes on the trailer pack.For films like Green Mile, Any Give Sunday, Gone w/ the Wind, etc. we ran one trailer only, no snipes.
I'm trying to convince our booth manager to run some THX or dolby snipes for Lord of the Rings. He hasn't said no yet.
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http://www.mullerfamilytheatres.com
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 10-03-2001, 02:10 AM:
Aaron, I hope you werent suggesting that I would be stupid enough to run FROM HELL on CATS AND DOGS.For one thing, FROM HELL is rated R so it wouldnt go on anything except for PG-13 and R rated titles.
Second, I never even mentioned anything about playing trailers for PG-13 rated films on PG movies.
I asked about playing trailers for PG rated films on G rated movies.
I dont see the harm in playing ATLANTIS, SHREK, or CATS AND DOGS on something like RUGRATS IN PARIS.
Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-03-2001, 02:46 PM:
I do believe that there are in fact laws governing this issue. There is content in R rated trailers not suitable for PG and G, and content in PG trailers not suitable for G. One incident that comes to mind is the fiasco regarding the Final Fantasy trailers that were approved for G but the content was not suitable!
Posted by Wes Hughes (Member # 981) on 10-03-2001, 03:52 PM:
I run about 3 trailers...attached included. The film companies call me occasionally and demand that I do this or that or else...I don't really care (and I tell them so). There hasn't been a time yet when I have been denied anything (like a booking) due to my refusal to program 6 trailers on a film.I HATE commercials ... I will not run them in any of my theatres.
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-03-2001, 07:07 PM:
Will - No such laws in the U.S.... yet.
Unless there are some local ordinances, at least.
Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 10-03-2001, 07:19 PM:
I thought that there were laws. The company that I worked for was VERY strict about this policy--and I was told several times that there are laws--but I may be wrong?--maybe it is just the MPAA guidelines? What about everything that has happened in government regarding this subject?
Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 10-03-2001, 07:38 PM:
We run a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 14 minutes of trailers, including our policy trailer. There could be anywhere from four to six trailers, depending on running time. We hit the screen at five minutes before the advertised starting time of the feature. We never deviate from this format. We do this for the following reasons:1. Patrons who wish to see all the trailers arrive early, before the advertised time.
2. Those who do not care to see trailers can come in 5 minutes after the adverstised starting time, and still see the feature.
3. There is at least a five minute cushion for latecomers, so that they can see the entire feature.
We do not have complaints about starting shows early. This policy has served us well. Even if there is a problem in the booth, we hold to the addage that it is better to be late than early!
I would advise that you can have any policy that you feel comfortable with, as long as you are consistant. That is the key.
Oh yes, we do not run any advertisements. Trailer selection is based
on running trailers with the latest play date first, then descending to the trailer with the nearest playdate. This of course excludes the attached trailer, which we run just before our policy and feature presentation. Selection of trailers is based on matching them with the feature, and we try to run trailers of the company that has the feature.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 10-04-2001, 12:32 AM:
I was wondering if anyone had a specific way they order their trailers.I used to do attached last, enclosed trailer from that studio in front of that, and whatever other trailers we play in any order in front of those.
Now I put them on in the order that they are released.
This is because we run a maximum of 6 and a minimum of 4 trailers depending on what our mandatory list says.
If a movie starts off with 6 trailers, I can take off two trailers before replacing any, and when that happens, its at the front of the trailer pack, which makes it easier to change them.
Posted by Michael Hunt (Member # 772) on 10-04-2001, 12:59 PM:
The number of trailers I run depends on the length of our advertising reel that week.We state in our publicity that 'Most cinema screenings start at the advertised time with a short programme of advertisements and trailers which may last up to fifteen minutes.' This was to appease those members of the audience that don't want to sit through the adverts, and to accomodate latecomers.
On occasion we've had a queue out to the front door at the advertised start time, and being able to tell irate latecomers that the film itself hasn't started and won't for another ten to fifteen minutes usually helps to calm them down....
I always let our Box Office staff know when there is an exception to this, for example, when the Local Film society are running a show, in which case no advertising is shown, as we deem this an educational screening.
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Uncle to JEDI Hunt,
honest!
Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 10-07-2001, 01:53 AM:
James, when we build, we're given a list of trailers to choose from for each feature. I splice them with what looks to be the worst films first & the best films or the ones with the best sequences right before the start of the feature.I rarely ever refuse to run a certain trailer, and there are others I'm careful about placing. Like when we had to change a scope trailer out of the oddly matted "Extreme Days," I had one Mighty Tenebaums left, what I consider to be the best looking film this christmas, but I used Ice Age instead, cause I wanted to put Tenenbaums on a feature that I won't be tearing down at the end of this week.
It's all a matter of choice.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-07-2001, 09:20 AM:
At the multiplex, we usually do about 4-6 trailers, plus NCN adds (yuck), Fandango/Moviefone, Coke, company snipes, etc. In the summer, we also run Jimmy Fund PSAs. We normally start the film about five minutes before the advertised start time; the ads run for about five minutes, so customers who arrive at the advertised start time will still see all of the trailers and the feature, but won't be subjected to the ads. I usually put the trailers in the order in which they are listed on the continuity sheet which is provided by the company.
Posted by Neil Hunter (Member # 1005) on 10-09-2001, 10:53 AM:
At my theater(a 16-plex w/IMAX), we normally run 5 to 6 trailers per the trailer request sheet(more like trailer demands), with a tecnicolor ad, a coke ad, and a Fandango ad. Our trailer packs usually run up to 17 minutes. This is way too long in my opinion. But, management says that's how it is, and there is absolutely no way they will let us change it.